Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
80.0
Overview
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is an integrated four-year program that offers your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist and prepares you for postgraduate studies in specialist areas.
Learn about abnormal and developmental psychology, cognition, psychological assessment, personality, social psychology and statistics, biology, chemistry and physiology.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Your industry experience
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this degree, you’ll complete an industry-linked research project and get a career head-start with pre-professional training.
Skills you’ll learn
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Analyse and evaluate information
- Knowledge around human behaviour
Your career opportunities
- Social welfare consultant
- Medical researcher
- Child safety officer
- Health officer
- Clinical worker
- Child development officer
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional accreditations
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 250 in Psychology
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 20235-stars for overall student experience
5-stars for teaching quality
1# in Melbourne for graduate salary
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
80.0
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
80.6
You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject adjustments, equity schemes or other factors.
Subject adjustments:
- A study score of 25 in Health and Human Development, Legal Studies, any Mathematics, any Science or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 30 in Health and Human Development, Legal Studies, any Mathematics, any Science or Sociology equals 3 aggregate points per study.
Overall maximum of 10 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Other requirements
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Assessment for progression to the fourth year
To be eligible for progression into the fourth year (honours year), students must achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third year level. Due to limited places in the honours year the required average may be increased, however students with an average of at least 75% are guaranteed a place in fourth year. Students in this course who do not meet this standard for entry into fourth year will be eligible for the award of a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences subject to the completion of the requirements of that award.
Graduate entry into fourth year
Applicants from Australian universities who have completed an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) accredited three-year sequence are eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours). Students must achieve a minimum of a Distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third-year level and have at least credits in all second and third level core/major units (one unit exception allowed). Entry is competitive and based on academic results.
Applicants who have completed a psychology major at an overseas university must provide evidence that their degree meets the requirements of an APAC accredited Australian undergraduate degree in psychology.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
-
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences - Swinburne Online delivered
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY10007 |
|
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA10003 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only |
PSY10005 |
|
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY10008 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Developmental Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20007 |
|
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA20006 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Cognition and Human Performance
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20006 |
|
Social Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20016 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Psychology Project
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only |
PSY30003 |
|
Psychology of Personality
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30008 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30016 |
|
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30013 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Honours Thesis A
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points |
PSY40009 |
|
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40001 |
|
Counselling Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40008 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Honours Thesis B
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points |
PSY40002 |
|
Ethical and Professional Issues
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40005 |
|
Psychological Assessment
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40006 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
Total fee* ($AUD)
$37,256
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$42,160.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.